On September 18, 2017, detectives from Partner’s Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT) conducted a narcotics investigation in a hotel room located in the 3400 block of Ranch Drive, Prescott. In recent weeks, PANT detectives received information from concerned citizens involving the sale of heroin at this particular hotel. During follow-up, detectives identified a particular room that was registered to 24-year-old Joel Honeycutt from Prescott. A YCSO K9 was deployed and positively alerted to the odor of illicit narcotics at the target room.
Honeycutt and his roommate, 25-year-old Thomas Ambergey, were found in the lobby and detained. During an initial interview, Honeycutt eventually admitted there were several grams of heroin in his room for sale. Based on Honeycutt’s consent, detectives searched and located approximately 17 grams of heroin, used syringes, tin foil, bindle baggies used to package and sell heroin, spoons with drug residue, a large amount of US Currency, and a digital scale. Honeycutt admitted the heroin and paraphernalia were his. A small safe was located on a bed that Amburgey claimed belonged to him and contained several used needles.
Both suspects were arrested and booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center. Charges for Honeycutt include Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale (Heroin), Possession of Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He remains in-custody on a $10,000 bond. Amburgey charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and released 2 days later.
During the investigation, PANT detectives learned that a Prescott area traffic collision involving a driver DUI on heroin was connected to Honeycutt and Amburgey who supplied the heroin. In another case, Prescott Valley Police Detectives contacted PANT detectives regarding a felony theft they were investigating involving Amburgey. Jewelry and electronic items were reported missing from a Prescott Valley home. PVPD detectives had not been able to locate Amburgey until discovering he was in-custody at the Camp Verde Detention Center. A review of evidence and property in the PANT case revealed Amburgey was in possession of stolen property taken from the Prescott Valley home. Additional stolen property had already been recovered from a different hotel where Amburgey stayed previously.
On September 21, 2017, Amburgey was located and arrested as a suspect in the Prescott Valley theft.